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Malaysia's king, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah Ahmad Shah, called on Muslims to protect mosques from becoming political arenas for political parties, Bernama reported.
The Agong was speaking at the officiating ceremony and breaking of fast at the Ar-Razzaq Mosque in Melaka on Apr. 5.
All Muslims should safeguard mosques
During the ceremony, the Agong highlighted that mosques must be holy, noble and respected institutions where division should not happen.
He was quoting as saying by Bernama:
"We all have to decide that the harmony of the mosque institution is safeguarded by us all, Muslims, not just the leaders but the congregation of the mosque."
"I will always remind everyone, especially those in Pahang, that the mosque cannot be mixed with any political elements whatsoever.”
His wife, Queen Azizah, was also present at the officiation.
He also signed a plaque marking the official opening of the mosque and 100 recipients were given donations.
Both then performed Maghrib prayers along with the congregation at the mosque.
Politicians, bans & mosques
The Agong’s statement comes after several bans imposed by states on politicians to prohibit them from giving political speeches in mosques.
On Jan. 17, Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim announced a prohibition on all of Johor’s mosques and suraus from being used as political arenas, according to Malay Mail.
This applied for all 850 mosques and 2,000 suraus in the state.
The Sultan of Johor, Ibrahim Iskandar, later on warned politicians not to defy the ban, and dared those who challenged the ban to "try it and see the consequences".
The Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, similarly gave a reminder that mosques and suraus should not be used for politics, Malaysiakini reported.
“Mosques and surau should not be a source of strife that ends up dividing Muslims due to political differences and political vendettas that have no end,” he was quoted as saying.
More warnings
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had also called on the country to respect the decree on politics and religion set by Malaysia’s rulers and religious authorities, The Star reported.
Referring to the ban on political talks in mosques in Terengganu, he noted that "[certain politicians] claim to be religious leaders but instead all they talk about throughout their sermons is politics.”
Anwar was speaking in response to the statements made by Abdul Hadi Awang, the leader of the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS).
Abdul Hadi said on Mar. 5 that there was “nothing wrong” with politicians giving religious lectures or sermons at mosques and suraus, and that he would continue to do so, according to Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
Top image via Facebook/Istana Negara